Stars Aligned

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 3:16pm by Ensign Michael Sloan & Lieutenant Commander Lukas Carter
Edited on on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 6:41pm

Mission: Mission 1 - One Step forward
Location: Main Bridge - Brief Alcove
Timeline: A Few Hours After Jump Discovery
650 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

The day had started off with the worst news any of them could have heard. Instead of breaking down and becoming useless, Michael threw himself into his duties. As the inventory on supplies was being carried out, he took the time to pick the Chief Engineer's brain a bit. As the two of them stood at the mission briefing table, Michael tapped at the console to bring up readouts on the screen.

"Mr. Carter, normally these concerns would be secondary, we would normally not have to search for water and food and a resupply of spatial torpedoes would only be a warp jump away," he pointed out. Sighing a little to show that he knew that he was asking for a pretty tall order, he continued his request, "Our main concern is resupplying our food and water. Is there any way that we can tweak the sensors a bit in order to pick up asteroids with ice, maybe some algae or some kind of biomass for the protein resequencers?"

"Challenging but not impossible, Commander," Lukas answered. "We can reprogram the lateral sensor array to be more sensitive to ice or algae, but tactical may see reduced targeting precision." He called up the Atlantis's sensor schematics on the situation room's planning table. A cutaway of the NX-class's sensor array appeared on the screen. "Might take a day or two to get it done."

The loss of targeting precision would be a hit to the ship's functionality, but they did need to survive. "Would there be a way to lessen the hit to targeting precision? Maybe switch sensor profiles from survival to tactical if we go to tactical alert?" he asked. Pointing at the master display of the Atlantis, he continued, "We only have spatial and photonic torpedoes to last the journey. A miss would be a real setback."

"Without starting the modifications, I do not know Michael," Lukas answered. "But we can enhance the torpedo guidance systems individually. Phase cannons will be another matter entirely until I know the impact the sensor modifications have on the targeting systems."

"For now, that's acceptable," Michael nodded. "Our phase cannons can always recharge but we have limited torpedoes," he added. Tapping the wide band of possible sensor outputs for biological entities, Michael asked, "If we can narrow down the kinds of bio-matter that we need for the protein resequencers, would that lessen the impact on the targeting sensors?"

"From a practical standpoint, yes, but we may be limiting ourselves to bio-matter our computer merely recognizes as immediately compatible instead of what could be made compatible," Lukas answered. "There is no use taking a middle path, Michael. If the objective is to search for food - that needs to be our focus."

"Agreed," Michael nodded. While defense was important, if they all starved to death there would be nothing left to defend. "How soon can you set up a working model?" he asked, a bit eager to find a reliable way to feed the crew.

Carter looked down at the schematics and studied them silently while plotting out the steps needed to make the modifications. "Three days," He said, looking up at Michael. "Three days for a test run. In one I'll have projections on efficiency."

"Very good," Michael smiled. As bad as their situation was currently, he knew that they had a good crew. If anything, Leah had good eye for talent. "I'll stay out of your hair, just keep me updated on your progress," Michael added as a way of asking if there was anything else Carter needed.

"Understood, Michael," Lukas said. "If you'll excuse me, I believe it is time for me to 'roll up my sleeves,' as the Americans say."

With a nod, the Chief Armory Officer left Carter to his work.



Lt. Commander Michael Sloan
Chief Armory Officer/XO
NX Atlantis

Lt. Commander Lucas Carter
Chief Engineer
NX Atlantis